Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-10-12

ALL THE WORLD At WAR,
BY WALTER BESANT.
CHAPTER vi.
LADY CAMPION.

luS WuCtucI luOuSnb VI luc t1S IuCk
as I thought Of him, and trying to bring
back to my mind his handsome face and
laughing eyes, when saw most unac-
customed sight. There came along the
lane, riding slowly, because the road was
!. rough, q gentlem dressed in an immense
cloak with fur collar, buckled at the
neck. He was a middle aged man, per-
haps turned fifty, and of grave aspect
Behind him rode two servants, each Of
whom carried at the back Of his saddle q
small leathern trunk.
The gentleman looked about him curl
ously. The place, left now to the charge
Of the two old people, was already begin
ming to show signs Of neglect. I sat in
the porch, half hidden by the great fuch-
STA tree. He seemed to be looking for
some one to speak to. The servants rode
up to him, and they all then consulted.
''There is no other house but this in the
place. 1t must be Gulliver's Farm"
Imerged from the porch, and went to
ask of whom the gentleman was in search.
He took off his hat politely.
''You are Miss Pleasance Noel9' he
asked.
''Yes, sir; I am Pleasance."
It was so seldom that I heard my sur
name that had almost forgotten its ex-
istence.
'You are the young lady of whom am
in search. You are "a friend, I believe,
of Mr.. William Campion, son Of the late
Sir Godfrey Campion.
"He is my sweetheart" replied.
Then the gentleman smiled, dismounted
and gave the reins to one of the servants.
81 am John Huntspill," ne said 81
have the honor to be q partner in that
firm; am travelling for the house in the
southern counties. am also, I may
boast, in the confidence Of Mr.. William.
May T, therefore, beg the honor of pri-
vate interview with your
This was very imposing. He'd the way
into the house and begged him to be
seated; at the same time offered him q
glass Of brandy, assuring him, in the
words of Dan Guliver, that it was right
good brandy, which had never paid duty.
In my girlish ignorance, conceived that
the payment Of duty inflicted some griev-
GUS damage to the character of brandy;
also, I thought that everybody in polite
society offered everybody else glasses Of
raw spirit.
"Thank you," Mr.. Huntspill replied
with courtesy. ''The partners in the
house of Campion & Co. never drink any
spirits, on principle, except their own
rum, and that is duty paid"
He meant the last fact as an admoni-
ton. took it as confession that the
rum was of inferior quality.
II have received" he went on, "two
letters, part Of which propose to COM
municate to you. In fact, young lady,
they Immediately concern you. The first
is from Mr.. William"
Heopened a great leathern pocketbook
and produced two letters.
~ received this, - he said, s'ten days
ago, being then IL the village Of Bright
helmstone, and Immediately resolved upon
travelling hither to acquaint you with the
wishes of Mr.. William.
"He informs me, first, Of the lament
able chain of events which have led the
young gentleman into this melancholy po-
sition. Had we known of it in time, such
is the influence of the house, and so sig
nal were the services of the late Sir God
frey (of pious memory, that we might
and certainly should have procured the
immediate release Of Mr.. William, and
probably the pardon of the others. But
his pride would not allow him to commu-
nicate the news to us. The letter is writ
ten ON the road to Portsmouth, whence he
is to be drafted-great heavens! the son
of Sir Godfrey a sailor before the mast!-
on board one of the ships in his majesty's
feet. He says then:
"'Before this unlucky accident it was
my singular good fortune to engage the
affections Of a young person in whose
soul, believe, virtue and goodness alone
reign" Mr.. Huntspin read this passage
very impressively, repeating the last
words-"virtue and goodness alone
reign" He bowed and I blushed, not
with satisfaction at hearing these gra-
cious words, but in humiliation, thinking
how little deserved them, and how had
wreaked revenge in which virtue played
so poor part.
Nh. Huntspil went on: "'The worth
of her heart is illustrated and made ap-
parent to the world by the extraordinary
beauty Of her face and person "-Oh,
viii! WILL" She has promised to make
me happy by becoming my wife. The
promise remains TO be fulfilled on my re-
turn, should benignant Providence
grant my return to my native shores. I
have told you, my generous friend, the
whole of my story. You will, I am sure,
continue to behave to me with the same
- That is not part of the business"
said Mr.. Huntspiu, interrupting at this
point. HE goes on presently: I have
written to my mother-who must on no
account discover the degrading situation
in which I have been placed--stating,
which is perfectly true, that I am going
to sea for long voyage, in which I may
visit many lands, and that hope to pay
my dutiful respects to her on my return
I have also informed her of my proposed
marriage with Pleasance Noel, and begged
her, as a mark of her forgiveness and
continued love, to receive my betrothed
in her own house, and, during my alb
sence, have her instructed in the practice
of those external accomplishments which
alone are wanting to make her an orna-
ment to the polite world. Goodness, my
dear friend, is at all times better than
rank
SIT is, indeed" said John Huntspill,
folding up the letter. "With this, which
was forwarded to me from London, came
portion Of which I will also read to you:
est has long been my resolution, she
says, to attempt no further interference
WILL luy Dull pldllS VI 1l1c. I1lo ucNOt1O11
to musical instrument, especially when
that instrument is the common fiddle,
seems to me inconsistent with the sobriety
Of London merchant; his readiness at all
times to forsake the counting house for
concert or u play seems to me unworthy OF
the seriousness which should characterize
churchman, while his rowing habits hold
out little hope of a steady future. have
now learned that he has gone to sea, after
contracting an engagement of the most
serious character with q young woman,
apparently of umble origin.'n
''My father was ships carpenter,"I I
said, half in pride and half in explanation.
Before knew Will had always regarded
that rank as exceptionally dignifed. But
I was quite aware that Lady Campion
would hardly be likely to think so highly
of the position.
"Quite so," said John Huntspill. "a
most respectful and useful vocation. Let
me continue: In justice to her and to my
self, should wish to make her acquaint.
ance. Will you, therefore, make it your
business to see her? Communicate with
her friends, and tell them that I propose
to receive her in my poor house. And
should she wish to remain and to keep
her with me, undertake to bestow upon
her whatever lessons and education she
may require to befit her for the station to
which heaven hath raised her. You may
bring her back with you, under your own
protection